Star Chart vs Star Chart Infinite FAQ:

Star Chart vs Infinite comparison

To help clarify the difference between the two products, here is a breakdown:

Feature Star Chart Star Chart Infinite
Planets ✓ ✓
Stars ✓ ✓
Augmented Reality Mode ✓ ✓
Night Mode ✓ ✓
Upgrades to Star Chart since initial launch:
Constellations ✓ ✓
Messier Objects ✓ ✓
3D Explore Mode ✓ ✓
English Language Voice Control ✓ ✓
Tours ✓ ✓
Social sharing ✓ ✓
Meteor Showers in-app upgrade ✓
Comets in-app upgrade ✓
Satellites in-app upgrade ✓
Extended Solar System in-app upgrade ✓
Important to know:
Continued Support ✓ ✓
New features, enhancements and upgrades ✓ ✓
Inclusion of adverts ✓ ✗
Sharing of anonymous user data ✓ ✗

 

Q: Why did we make Star Chart Free?

A: We needed to keep Star Chart competitive. Paid apps have become increasingly difficult to justify when the best apps available are often free. There are many reasons why consumers are tending to favor free apps:

  • Free apps are well... FREE! With great apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flipboard, etc. available for free, users are hesitant to spend money on an app. We get this.
  • Try before you buy. Why pay for an app that may not be legit? Star Chart is a great free app - imagine how great Star Chart Infinite will be.
  • Many illegal copies of Star Chart appear for free on app stores and shareware sites. By making Star Chart free we remove the incentive for users to get an illegal copy.

    • All in all, making Star Chart free allows users to get a high quality experience without the risk of wasting money. This is good for consumers, our brand, and the app ecosystem in general.
     

    Q: Why didn't we create 'Star Chart Lite'?

    A: Creating Star Chart Lite would not have been competitive, nor as attractive to prospective users as making the existing Star Chart free. By making Star Chart free, we ensure that users get a great experience and recommend our app to others. Again, this is good for consumers, our brand, and the app ecosystem in general.
     

    Q: Why did we create Star Chart Infinite?

    A: There are various reasons for creating Star Chart Infinite (none of which involve scamming our loyal customers) - here are a few:

  • Some users are wary of downloads that include in-app upgrades because they have had negative experiences with second rate or even downright fraudulent apps.
  • Some users are wary of downloading a free app, fearing enjoyment of it will obligate them to be exposed to ads and spam.
  • Educational institutions can bulk purchase apps, but not in-app upgrades. So to allow these institutions to get the full Star Chart experience we are required to ship an app that includes all the in-app upgrades as a one-off product.

    • Star Chart Infinite tailors itself to a certain type of user that doesn't want a free app with in-app upgrades.
     

    Q: Why didn't we upgrade Star Chart users to Star Chart Infinite?

    A: Star Chart has been continually updated, enhanced and improved since it's initial launch in 2010. Many new features have been included for free, and we intend to continue to add more going forwards. However the premium features are both niche and have been expensive to develop. Whilst most people wouldn't use them, a small number of people find them highly valuable. It is by the addition of these features that we can continue to provide support and new features for everyone.
     

    Q: Can I get a refund if I bought Star Chart previously?

    A: As of 2014 we are no longer offering refunds to previous purchasers of Star Chart.

    To all our early adopters of Star Chart, we thank you for your support which has allowed us to continually enhance, maintain and upgrade it. Our commitment to you is that we will continue to make Star Chart the best star gazing and astronomy application bar none.

    Star Chart Feedback: We want to hear from you.

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